Monte-Carlo – SS16: Ogier fastest, Tänak overtakes Fourmaux, two Toyotas on the floor!

• It was not the easiest of awakenings for the drivers for this last day of racing on this Rally Monte Carlo! In the dark and on a wet and icy road in places, after the night rain that hit the Gap region, the Rally1s had a hard time reaching the finish. But as is often the case, it is the master of the place Sébastien Ogier who did best. The Frenchman took the scratch on SS16 and increased his lead to 24″3 over Elfyn Evans! On a special where the choice of tires was crucial, the eight-time world champion made the right choice by starting with four studded tires, like Elfyn Evans.
• Unfortunately for Adrien fourmaux, his choice of tires was not the right one on this 16th special: starting with two super-soft tires and two studded tires, the driver Hyundai struggled throughout the course and finished 21 seconds behind Sébastien Ogier. As a result, the Frenchman was relegated to 5th place in the general classification, behind Ott Tänak, more than 46 seconds behind the leader. But the Northerner is banking on the long term: "The goal was to reach the finish and I'm really happy to lose only seven seconds [to Tänak]. I hope my choice will pay off at the end of the rally."
• The first special of the day was fatal for two Toyota ! Takamoto Katsuta first crashed after just 1,8 kilometres: the Japanese driver slid and ended up against a tree! Then it was Sami Pajari's turn to hit a bridge and end up in a stream. Fortunately for the Japanese manufacturer, neither driver was eligible to score points in the Manufacturers' Championship for the official team. These two retirements allow Thierry Neuville to move up to 6th place in this Monte-Carlo Rally and potentially pick up a few extra points!

Disaster for Katsuta on the opening stage of Sunday 😔#WRC | #RallyMonteCarlo ???????? pic.twitter.com/Y3lMXfUpNo

— FIA World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) January 26, 2025

WRC – Rally Monte-Carlo
ES16 – Ranking

General ranking after ES16

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